Catching cold during pregnancy, can medicine be taken

Condition analysis:
When you’re expecting, your immune system runs at a lower speed than usual - which is actually a good thing, since it keeps your body from fighting off the baby (who is, technically, a foreigner to your body, even if he or she doesn’t seem foreign to you). The downside of this immune suppression, though, is that your body can't fight off colds as well as it normally does, making you more vulnerable than usual to the stuffy nose, cough and sore throat that come with a cold virus. Fortunately, colds are mostly an uncomfortable annoyance. That said, it’s important to be aware that you’re better off avoiding some cold medications during pregnancy. 

Instructions:
Rest. Taking a cold to bed doesn’t necessarily shorten its duration, but if your body is begging for some rest, be sure to listen.

Stay active. If you’re not running a fever or coughing and you feel up to it, light to moderate, pregnancy-safe exercise may actually  help you feel better faster.

Keep eating. Sure, you probably don’t have much of an appetite, but eating as healthfully as possible when you do feel up to eating can help with some of your cold symptoms.

Focus on fods with vitamin C. They can help boost your immune system naturally. Try all types of citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, grapefruit), strawberries, melon, kiwi, mango, tomatoes, bell peppers, papaya, broccoli, red cabbage and spinach.

Chow down on more zinc. It may also help boost the immune system. Fill up on turkey, beef, pork, cooked oysters, eggs, yogurt, wheat germ and oatmeal.

Drink up. Fever, sneezes and a runny nose will cause your body to lose fluids that you and your baby need. Warm beverages will be particularly soothing, so keep a thermos of a hot drink or hot soup next to your bed and try to drink enough to stay well hydrated (your pee should be the color of pale straw). Water and cold juices work fine, too, if that’s what you’re thirsting for.

Supplement safely. Taking your prenatal vitamin, which contains vitamin C and zinc, is smart even when you’re fighting a cold (but don’t take any other supplements beyond your prenatal without your doctor’s approval).

Sleep easy. Breathe easier when you’re lying down or sleeping by elevating your head with a couple of pillows. Nasal strips (which gently pull your nasal passages open, making breathing easier) may help, too. They’re sold over the counter and are completely drug-free.